Thoughts on Monday’s Text
V 1–4: LEAVING LOVE God has rescued His people of Israel and taught them how to walk properly and uprightly. Yet they have left His love and followed Baal worship and idolatry. They continue to go further away from Him.
V 5–7: REPENTANCE REFUSED Despite the fact that cruel captivity is foretold, God’s people are determined to backslide. Their empty prayer means nothing.
V 8–11: GOD’S GATHERING Yet God cannot give up Israel, and one day will gather them from all over the world and establish them in their land, in their houses. They shall walk with Him in that day.
V 12: DISHONESTY DEMONSTRATED Ephraim and Israel are filled with lies and deceit. (At this stage Judah is the exception, according to some translations, but is also at fault according to others.)